Albuquerque Nursing Home Negligence Attorney

Nursing homes must be fully staffed with well-trained, compassionate employees to ensure the safety and dignity of their residents. Unfortunately, many assisted living facilities suffer from understaffing, inadequate training, and a lack of resources to properly care for the older adults who depend on them.

This dereliction of duty significantly increases the risks of serious accidents and injuries, such as:

• Falls (often preventable with proper assistance and safety measures)
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Broken bones and fractures
• Bedsores (pressure ulcers), which are a common sign of neglect
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
• Medication errors (wrong dosage, wrong medication, missed medication)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Preventable infections and illnesses due to poor hygiene or lack of care
• Elopement (wandering off the premises unsupervised)

In the most tragic cases, negligence in nursing homes can lead to fatalities, opening the door to wrongful death lawsuits. No matter the type, cause, or severity of the injury, please do not hesitate to contact our firm. We provide the compassionate counsel your family deserves and will fight tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable for the suffering they have caused.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Recognizing the warning signs of nursing home abuse or neglect is critical to protecting the health, safety, and dignity of older adults. Be observant and look for these common indicators:

• Unexplained or frequent injuries, such as bedsores (pressure ulcers), bruises, welts, cuts, sprains, or fractures.
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss (could indicate malnutrition or dehydration).
• Unsanitary or unsafe living conditions (dirty rooms, soiled bedding, strong odors).
• Untreated infections, illnesses, or other medical conditions.
• Poor personal hygiene, such as soiled clothing, unbathed appearance, or overgrown nails.
• Withdrawal, depression, anxiety, fearfulness, or agitation, especially around certain staff members.
• Reluctance to speak or unexplained changes in communication.
• Staff refusing or delaying access to your loved one.
• Witnessing staff being verbally or physically aggressive.
• Avoidance of care, such as not calling a doctor or nurse when needed by the resident.

If an older friend or relative exhibits any of these signs, taking swift legal action by consulting with an experienced nursing home negligence lawyer is imperative to protect their safety and well-being. Our team can aggressively pursue justice on your behalf, freeing your family to focus on healing.

What Constitutes Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse?

Nursing home negligence occurs when a facility or its staff fails to provide the legally required standard of care to its residents, resulting in harm or injury. This can manifest in various devastating ways, from emotional neglect to direct physical harm and financial exploitation. Common examples include:

• Emotional Abuse: This includes verbal assaults, threats, humiliation, harassment, intimidation, isolation, and other coercive behaviors leading to psychological control and severe emotional distress in residents.
• Physical Abuse: Some examples include hitting, slapping, shoving, improper use of physical or chemical restraints, refusing to administer necessary medications, or denying assistance to residents with limited mobility, as well as deprivation of food or water.
• Sexual Abuse: This refers to any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident, violating their safety, dignity, and rights. Sexual abuse can range from inappropriate touching or fondling to rape and sexual assault.
• Financial Abuse/Exploitation: This occurs when facilities or staff members manipulate, deceive, or coerce residents to gain control of their assets, leading to the misuse, misappropriation, or theft of their financial resources.
• Neglect: This is the failure to meet the basic needs of residents by not providing necessary care, such as adequate food and water, proper medical attention, hygiene assistance, a safe environment, or assistance with daily living activities. This also includes failure to protect residents from hazards.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered for Nursing Home Negligence?

While every case is unique, victims of nursing home negligence and their families may be entitled to recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:

• Medical expenses (past, current, and future related to the injury).
• Pain and suffering (physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish).
• Disability or disfigurement.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Cost of moving to a new facility or for alternative care.
• In cases of wrongful death, compensation can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages allowed under New Mexico law.

Attorney Nathan Cobb will thoroughly evaluate all aspects of your case to determine the full extent of damages you may be entitled to pursue.

Advocating for Older Adults in Bernalillo County Since 2008

With a strong background in complex litigation – including experience at one of New Mexico’s largest law firms where he became one of the youngest attorneys to make partner – and a reputation for achieving exceptional outcomes, Attorney Nathan Cobb possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge crucial for nursing home negligence cases. Our top-rated trial lawyer is committed to pursuing the best possible outcome in your case, guiding your legal steps with care, precision, and a deep understanding of New Mexico law.

We understand that the last thing you need after discovering your loved one has been harmed is additional financial stress. That’s why the Law Office of Nathan Cobb offers free initial consultations and handles nursing home negligence cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our client-centered approach is further supported by our dedicated and experienced paralegals, Zoe Rivera and Rose Waldrep, who are invaluable in assisting our clients and meticulously developing their cases.

If you or a loved one suffered a wrongful injury or abuse in an Albuquerque nursing home, don’t wait to seek the justice you deserve. Our seasoned advocate, ready for trial if necessary, will work tirelessly to help restore your loved one’s health and your family’s financial security by holding all liable parties accountable.

Suspect Abuse or Neglect? Critical Steps to Take Immediately

• Ensure Immediate Safety: If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911 or take steps to remove them from the harmful situation if possible.
• Document Everything: Take detailed notes of your observations, including dates, times, specific incidents, names of staff involved, and any visible injuries (take photos/videos if appropriate and permissible).
• Report Your Concerns: Report your concerns to the nursing home administration in writing. You can also report the suspected abuse or neglect to the New Mexico Department of Health (which licenses and inspects nursing homes) and to Adult Protective Services.
• Seek Medical Attention: Ensure your loved one receives a thorough medical examination to assess any injuries or health issues.
• Contact an Experienced Attorney: Crucially, call an experienced Albuquerque nursing home negligence attorney like Nathan Cobb. We offer a free consultation to discuss your concerns, explain your legal rights and options, and advise you on the best course of action to protect your loved one and seek justice.

Get The Serious Representation You Deserve. Call Us Today.

The Law Office of Nathan Cobb offers free, no-obligation case reviews. Learn your legal options when you visit our Albuquerque office or we can discuss your case over the phone.

If you or a loved one was harmed in the nursing home setting, don’t wait to seek justice. Contact us online to discuss your case with our award-winning lawyer.